April 5, 2023 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) News Release
Tonight, the Mesquite Outlaws (12-9-3) and the Tacoma Stars (12-10-2) will compete in a highly anticipated Western Conference play-in game. With both teams finishing the regular season with 37 points, this match is expected to be a close battle. However, the Stars have the upper hand in their past encounters, winning all three regular season games against the Outlaws and scoring 27 goals. The Stars’ top scorer, Nick Perera, has been particularly impressive with seven goals and six assists against the Outlaws alone.
The Outlaws will be relying heavily on their goalkeeper Eduardo Cortes, nicknamed “Pollo,” who has emerged as one of the most dependable goalkeepers in the league. In their last regular season game, Cortes made some incredible saves that helped his team push the league’s most offensive team, Chihuahua Savage, to overtime. The Outlaws’ attacking duo, Sebastian Mendez and Luiz Morales, have also been outstanding, scoring a total of 50 goals in the regular season. If they can maintain their offensive prowess, the Stars will have a tough time containing them.
Overall, it is expected to be a closely fought match between the fourth and fifth-placed teams in the Western Conference. The winner will progress to the semifinals to face the San Diego Sockers.
BAL V FLA – 4/7/2023 – GAME 1
Ladies and gentlemen, it is finally time for the playoffs and we will have the first round of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Florida Tropics (12-7-5) and the Baltimore Blast (13-8-3) this coming Friday!
These two teams are no strangers to each other, having faced off three times this season. The Tropics managed to secure two victories in those matchups, but don’t count the Blast out just yet. They’ve got some impressive stats to back them up, including a goal differential of +40 in the regular season – the best in the Eastern Conference. Key players like Lucas Roque, who has already scored 30 goals for the Blast, and goalkeeper William Vanzela, with a league-leading save percentage of .790, are sure to make their presence known.
The Tropics are coming into this game with some momentum, having won their last two regular season games. They’ll be relying on forward Vinicius Dantas, who has scored an impressive 19 goals in just 19 regular season games. Veteran defender Drew Ruggles will also be a key player to watch. Not only has he scored 18 goals so far, but he also leads the defensive line…